Last year, a group of dedicated Wheelersburg residents banded together to form a non-profit. After going to Township Trustees with suggestions and wanting to see more opportunities for events and beautification, they were immediately supported by their elected officials and communities, hosting several events, one of which being the Porter Township bicentennial.
According to Co-Chair Karen Mershon, the group didn’t hesitate to take on the challenge. They pulled together one massive celebration in only three months that wasn’t only in the Porter Township Park, but outgrew to fill the flea market area, Pioneer Village and Litteral House.
Since then, the group has had planning sessions and community events, but they made their first visible improvement to the community in May, followed by a second over the past week.
The project that has gotten the most attention was the launch of a military recognition program that saw the installation of 66 banners throughout Wheelersburg.
“The Hometown Hero Project has never been done in Wheelersburg, and we have 20 banners in the park and 46 throughout the community. It’s been a very successful project, and we’ve had several people contact us about additional banners,” Mershon said. “We’ve launched our first round, and we are not sure if we are able to put more up until next year, but we do have an application process in place.”
The banners are colorful tributes to recognize not only veterans, but currently enlisted members of the military.
“One of the special ones is Jonathan Etterling, which is on the Jonathan E. Etterling Memorial Highway,” Mershon explained. “We have his as you come off 52 and it is the first one your see. All of them are important, though. These heroes have given so much, and we want to recognize the military men and women who have protected us. We all need to recognize the sacrifices they and their families have made. This has been such an honor.”
According to Mershon, not only has the group been getting requests for additional banners from friends and family of service men and women, but the community at large has been grateful for the project.
“People have loved it. We’ve had so many people, families and veterans, thanking us for doing this,” Mershon said. “One of the biggest joys we can get is when someone takes their photo next to their banner; you can see so much in those pictures.”
The banners, which can be expensive to produce in good quality that survives the elements were mostly sponsored by family members of the military members recognized. In some cases, Mershon said veterans were sponsored by community members and businesses.
One recent improvement was the removal of what was formerly the Staker’s Drugs sign at the intersection of Ohio River Road and Center Street. When the property was razed, the sign remained close to the road and had fallen into disrepair over time, becoming an eyesore at the entrance of Wheelersburg.
“This is a project our group has had in the works for some time,” Mershon explained. “We wanted to clear things with anyone who leased or owned the property in the past, had many discussions with Engineer LeBrun, and it is so nice to finally see it removed. We will now be landscaping that area that welcome people as soon as they enter our community.”
Mershon said that the nonprofit is paying for the sign removal and the landscaping. They still owe for the removal and haven’t begun the landscaping yet. Current cost estimates have the total project cost at $7,500. Tax-deductible donations may be made to see the project through to completion and Mershon says all donations will be earmarked for that project. Those interested in donating may call (740) 464-8349 or message Wheelersburg Community Partnership on Facebook for more information.
“I think we have done a lot. Our Main goal is to have a positive impact on our community through events and beautification opportunities. We held three events last year, we initiated the Hometown Hero program and now the beautification projects are launched,” Mershon said. “We have other ideas in the works and will continue bringing life back to our community.”